
Indoor signs
4/22/2025
Retail signage is more than just words on display – it’s a salesperson, a guide for your customers through your location and a key element of your business’s overall branding. Having a memorable, positive in-store experience is key to building a loyal consumer base; 84 percent of customers report that stores with a pleasant atmosphere are more likely to drive repeat visits, with 79 percent reporting that it can make them stay in a store longer (1).
Understanding how to use retail signs strategically and displays can lead to stronger sales, enhanced customer experience and long-lasting brand loyalty. How? We’ve got some insider tips that you can use right now. And with help from Image360, it’s easy to experience the power of eye-catching signs and displays for yourself.
Signs, graphics and displays in a retail environment are as much about visual storytelling as they are about basic functionality. To maximize their effectiveness, consider how you’ll use these design elements:
Typography: Your font choices can make or break your signage! Choose clean, sans-serif fonts that are easy to read from a distance and prioritize the text size based on importance. Large, bold fonts should be used for key information, such as product names, while smaller fonts should be used for secondary details. More than 83 percent of customers have reported that text is essential for effective signage, so ensure you prioritize legibility throughout. (2)
Colors: Stick to your brand colors across your signage to ensure a feeling of consistency and cohesiveness throughout the entire space. When conveying a message, use high-contrast combinations between your font and the background. For instance, white or yellow text on a black background is easy to read at a distance, whereas white text on yellow or grey is hard to discern from a distance.
Visuals: Integrate high-resolution images and graphics to complement your text. Product images should align with the accompanying text to tell the complete story. Make sure you’re using crisp, clean photos that don’t have any blurring or pixelation!
Simplicity: Cluttered designs are difficult to discern from a distance, and even up close, can overwhelm customers trying to read them. Instead, stick to just one point per sign and keep your messaging concise and clear.
Even the most vibrant signs don’t drive conversions or sales for your business if they’re not visible in the right places. Choosing where to install your signs is just as important as how to design them when it comes to successful retail marketing. Here are a few tips:
Eye-level placement: Positioning your graphics at eye level helps maximize visibility for the most important information. You want to ensure your contact details and operating hours can be seen right at the entryway, so placing them at eye level ensures they will be seen. This is also optimal positioning for anything else you need seen, like promotions or new arrivals.
Starting and end points: Think of your signage as a roadmap for your store. Well-placed signs can assist with wayfinding, directing shoppers to specific departments. They can also highlight new products or limited sales. Walk through your location as though you were a customer to better identify sightlines and potential blind spots.
Point of purchase: The final stop on the customer journey is usually where they finalize a buying decision, making point-of-purchase displays a prime marketing opportunity. Use this place to strategically feature limited time offers that create a sense of urgency that can seal the deal.
Effective retail marketing includes many moving pieces but often starts with well-executed, well-designed signs and graphics. Business signs are more than just an extension of your marketing toolkit – they’re each an opportunity to engage with your shoppers and tell your brand story. With Image360, we’ll start with an onsite evaluation that ensures you receive a custom solution that drives results. Contact us today to get started!